The best "mainstream" markets for good meat and for butchers who know what the hell they're doing are How's and Bristol Farms. I've gotten good service from Whole Foods here in Pasadena, but have no idea how they are elsewhere. Huntington Meats in the 3rd & Fairfax Farmer's Market has a good and I think well-deserved reputation, but my favorite there is Marconda, generally less expensive and with more emphasis on pork, which I prefer. All the Gelson's markets I've been to have premium-priced meats, probably very good, but the counter guys might as well be at Ralphs for all the knowledge they display. Schreiner's is a German butcher/deli in Montrose (north end of Glendale); have had only their pork and cured meats, all worth repeat journeys.

At the Farmer's Market for us it's Marconda for steaks, bacon, and other cuts of meat like pork chops and such. Huntington for the great selection of sausages...grill up some of their Hungarian sausage and server on a roll like a hot dog, Ymmmmm!...and then Puritan Poultry, which is also owned by Marconda, for the birds and rabbits.

We make a special trip a couple of times a year to stock up the freezer.

There are good butchers who work at bad meat dept. in supermarkets. The meats may not be prime (or even choice), but the butchers are super knowledgeable and will work with you to get the best cut for what you are intending to make.

There are also bad butchers who work at good meat dept. They know little in the way of the bovine art, and could barely cut you a steak without risking one of their digits.